

Vedanta Talks - Swami Sarvapriyananda
Vedanta Society of New York
Swami Sarvapriyananda delivers insightful talks on Vedanta at the Vedanta Society of New York, an institution founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1894. Vedanta, rooted in the ancient Vedas, is one of the world’s oldest and most expansive spiritual philosophies. It emphasizes the oneness of all existence, the divinity of the individual soul, and the harmony among all religions, offering timeless wisdom for personal and spiritual growth. Through these talks, Swami Sarvapriyananda explores profound spiritual truths, making Vedanta’s teachings relevant to modern seekers.Vedanta Society of New YorkApple PodcastSpotify PodcastDonations to support Vedanta Society of New York gratefully accepted via PaypalAll Original Content © Vedanta Society of New York
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 8, 2025 • 1h 10min
The One With Steady Wisdom (Bhagavad Gita) | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verse 55 (Chapter 2) of the Bhagavad Gita. Audio Lectures on Bhagavad Gita and the Mandukya Upanishad are available on the following platforms:Soundcloud: / vedantany Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5IrDmqX...Google Podcast: https://play.google.com/music/listen#...Or you can simply search for our podcast: ‘Vedanta Talks’ on any of your preferred podcasting apps.

Apr 8, 2025 • 1h 3min
What is Vedanta? | Swami Sarvapriyananda
May 28, 2019 • Advaita Vedanta | Swami SarvapriyanandaSwami Sarvapriyananda provides an introduction to the philosophy of Vedanta at the St. Louis Vedanta Society (vedantastl.org)

Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 22min
5. Isha Upanishad | Mantras 4 - 5 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
The Isha Upanishad (Sanskrit: ईशोपनिषद्, IAST: Īśopaniṣad), also known as Shri Ishopanishad, Ishavasya Upanishad, or Vajasaneyi Samhita Upanishad, is one of the shortest Upanishads, embedded as the final chapter (adhyāya) of the Shukla Yajurveda. It is a Mukhya (primary, principal) Upanishad, and is known in two recensions, called Kanva (VSK) and Madhyandina (VSM). The Upanishad is a brief poem, consisting of 17 or 18 verses, depending on the recension.It is a key scripture of the Vedanta sub-schools, and an influential Śruti to diverse schools of Hinduism. It is the 40th chapter of Yajurveda. The name of the text derives from its incipit, īśā vāsyam, "enveloped by the Lord", or "hidden in the Lord (Self)". The text discusses the Atman (Self) theory of Hinduism, and is referenced by both Dvaita (dualism) and Advaita (non-dualism) sub-schools of Vedanta.It is classified as a "poetic Upanishad" along with Kena, Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka by Paul Deussen (1908).Reference book:1. Eight Upanisads Vol. 2 translated by Swami Gambhirananda - https://www.vedanta.com/store/Eight-U...

Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 33min
159. Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 Verses 22-23I Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verses 22-23 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God".🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 22:उपद्रष्टानुमन्ता च भर्ता भोक्ता महेश्वर: |परमात्मेति चाप्युक्तो देहेऽस्मिन्पुरुष: पर: ||22||Upadraṣhṭānumantā cha bhartā bhoktā maheśhvaraḥparamātmeti chāpy ukto dehe ’smin puruṣhaḥ paraḥ ||22||🔴 In this body there is also the Transcendent and the Supreme Spirit, who is described as the Supreme Self and Sovereign Lord, the unconcerned Witness, the Sanctioner, the Supporter, and the Enjoyer.🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 23:य एवं वेत्ति पुरुषं प्रकृतिं च गुणै: सह |सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि न स भूयोऽभिजायते ||23||Ya evaṁ vetti puruṣhaṁ prakṛitiṁ cha guṇaiḥ sahasarvathā vartamāno ’pi na sa bhūyo ’bhijāyate ||23||🔴 Whoever thus knows the Purusa (Spirit) and Prakriti (Nature) along with its effects, will never be born again, whatever be his mode of living.Transcript

Mar 31, 2025 • 1h 10min
4. Isha Upanishad | Mantra 3 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
The Isha Upanishad (Sanskrit: ईशोपनिषद्, IAST: Īśopaniṣad), also known as Shri Ishopanishad, Ishavasya Upanishad, or Vajasaneyi Samhita Upanishad, is one of the shortest Upanishads, embedded as the final chapter (adhyāya) of the Shukla Yajurveda. It is a Mukhya (primary, principal) Upanishad, and is known in two recensions, called Kanva (VSK) and Madhyandina (VSM). The Upanishad is a brief poem, consisting of 17 or 18 verses, depending on the recension.It is a key scripture of the Vedanta sub-schools, and an influential Śruti to diverse schools of Hinduism. It is the 40th chapter of Yajurveda. The name of the text derives from its incipit, īśā vāsyam, "enveloped by the Lord", or "hidden in the Lord (Self)". The text discusses the Atman (Self) theory of Hinduism, and is referenced by both Dvaita (dualism) and Advaita (non-dualism) sub-schools of Vedanta.It is classified as a "poetic Upanishad" along with Kena, Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka by Paul Deussen (1908).Reference book:1. Eight Upanisads Vol. 2 translated by Swami Gambhirananda - https://www.vedanta.com/store/Eight-U...

Mar 25, 2025 • 1h 14min
3. Isha Upanishad | Mantra 2 | Swami Sarvapriyananda
The Isha Upanishad (Sanskrit: ईशोपनिषद्, IAST: Īśopaniṣad), also known as Shri Ishopanishad, Ishavasya Upanishad, or Vajasaneyi Samhita Upanishad, is one of the shortest Upanishads, embedded as the final chapter (adhyāya) of the Shukla Yajurveda. It is a Mukhya (primary, principal) Upanishad, and is known in two recensions, called Kanva (VSK) and Madhyandina (VSM). The Upanishad is a brief poem, consisting of 17 or 18 verses, depending on the recension.It is a key scripture of the Vedanta sub-schools, and an influential Śruti to diverse schools of Hinduism. It is the 40th chapter of Yajurveda. The name of the text derives from its incipit, īśā vāsyam, "enveloped by the Lord", or "hidden in the Lord (Self)". The text discusses the Atman (Self) theory of Hinduism, and is referenced by both Dvaita (dualism) and Advaita (non-dualism) sub-schools of Vedanta.It is classified as a "poetic Upanishad" along with Kena, Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka by Paul Deussen (1908).Reference book:1. Eight Upanisads Vol. 2 translated by Swami Gambhirananda - https://www.vedanta.com/store/Eight-U...

Mar 23, 2025 • 59min
Gospel | Chapter 2: Apr 9, 1882 (Part 3) | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M."This session was recorded on May 4, 2021.

Mar 23, 2025 • 1h 26min
158. Bhagavad Gita Chapter 13 Verses 19-21I Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches Verses 19-21 from the Thirteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This series of talks unfolds the highest truths of Vedanta through the study of "The Song of God".🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 19:प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव विद्ध्यनादी उभावपि |विकारांश्च गुणांश्चैव विद्धि प्रकृतिसम्भवान् ||19||Prakṛitiṁ puruṣhaṁ chaiva viddhy anādī ubhāv apivikārānśh cha guṇānśh chaiva viddhi prakṛiti-sambhavān ||19||🔴 Know both Prakrti (Nature) and Purusa (Spirit) to be beginningless, eternal verities. Know also that all changeful objects and attributes (that constitute the world of daily experience) are sprung from Prakrti.🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 20:कार्यकारणकर्तृत्वे हेतु: प्रकृतिरुच्यते |पुरुष: सुखदु:खानां भोक्तृत्वे हेतुरुच्यते ||20||Kārya-kāraṇa-kartṛitve hetuḥ prakṛitir uchyatepuruṣhaḥ sukha-duḥkhānāṁ bhoktṛitve hetur uchyate ||20||🔴 Prakrti is the cause of the formation and functioning of the body and the senses, while it is the Purusa that experiences pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow.🔆 Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 13 Verse 21:पुरुष: प्रकृतिस्थो हि भुङक्ते प्रकृतिजान्गुणान् |कारणं गुणसङ्गोऽस्य सदसद्योनिजन्मसु ||21||Puruṣhaḥ prakṛiti-stho hi bhuṅkte prakṛiti-jān guṇānkāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo ’sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu ||21||🔴 Seated in bodies, which are the products of Prakrti, the Purusa enjoys the objects and qualities born of Prakrti. Attachment to these objects is the cause of the Spirit getting embodiments in evil or exalted wombs.

Mar 19, 2025 • 1h 13min
2. Isha Upanishad | Mantra 1 Continued | Swami Sarvapriyananda
The Isha Upanishad (Sanskrit: ईशोपनिषद्, IAST: Īśopaniṣad), also known as Shri Ishopanishad, Ishavasya Upanishad, or Vajasaneyi Samhita Upanishad, is one of the shortest Upanishads, embedded as the final chapter (adhyāya) of the Shukla Yajurveda. It is a Mukhya (primary, principal) Upanishad, and is known in two recensions, called Kanva (VSK) and Madhyandina (VSM). The Upanishad is a brief poem, consisting of 17 or 18 verses, depending on the recension.It is a key scripture of the Vedanta sub-schools, and an influential Śruti to diverse schools of Hinduism. It is the 40th chapter of Yajurveda. The name of the text derives from its incipit, īśā vāsyam, "enveloped by the Lord", or "hidden in the Lord (Self)". The text discusses the Atman (Self) theory of Hinduism, and is referenced by both Dvaita (dualism) and Advaita (non-dualism) sub-schools of Vedanta.It is classified as a "poetic Upanishad" along with Kena, Katha, Svetasvatara and Mundaka by Paul Deussen (1908).Reference book:1. Eight Upanisads Vol. 2 translated by Swami Gambhirananda - https://www.vedanta.com/store/Eight-U...

Mar 16, 2025 • 1h
Gospel | Chapter 2: Apr 9, 1882 (Part 2) | Swami Sarvapriyananda
Swami Sarvapriyananda reads and discusses the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is an English translation of the Bengali spiritual text Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Swami Nikhilananda. The text records conversations of Ramakrishna with his disciples, devotees and visitors, recorded by Mahendranath Gupta, who wrote the book under the pseudonym of "M."This session was recorded on Apr 27, 2021.